11/27/2012

Dear Friends,
Here is a very brief run down of where I stand right now as far as my health is concerned. I am doing my very best to get back into tip-top shape as quickly as possible so that we can return to the touring circuit that I already miss so much. Even though I'm not in any shape to get back in the van, we've been writing some new songs and I feel confident that I will be ready to get back on the road sooner rather than later. Thank you for all of the get well wishes and for your patience!

Also, please note that the following is a very cursory overview of what has been going on and I can assure you that a lot more has happened in the past month but it'd simply be too much for me to sketch right now!

Marissa, I hope someone can figure this out for you soon so that you can leave your pain behind! My old chiropractor, now dead, said that area between the collarbone and first rib was where emotions got bottled up. I can still feel him pressing painfully into there! If one chiro does not help you, keep looking for a better one. They are few and far between.

This is terrible to read, I'm probably one of the few (if not the only) Italian SF fan, aklways wished to be able to see You live someday and this is Makin' Me so sad. You SF have been an Important part in My Life and I always Loved You all.Wi sh Marissa to get well as soon as pèossible.Enjoy Your Lives, Always.

Aw, this was actually pretty moving. Unknown stuff hurting your body is the worst-I'm in the middle of something like that as well. I can only wish you the best of luck in finding a way to alleviate the pain altogether. Good luck, Marissa!

Feel better Marissa...been lucky enough to see you guys three times and hoping there will many more shows to come! Love the comic, maybe all this will inspire a concept album? When life hands you lemons...

ok marissa, i will take care of you. a strict regiment of chicken noodle soup and new castle brown ale. then we can tell stories in my queen size bed. and make a fort. and draw comic books. and rock out together. and play with my dog. and listen to my record collection. and paint portraits of eachother. let me know when you want to come over so i can buy the soup ingredients and beer

Two things can help you with this: Alexander Technique and Hanna Somatics. Alexander technique focuses on structural awareness and relaxation while Somatics rehabilitates the muscles that have suffered from lack of structural awareness. For example, I used to clench my jaw excessively and subconciously because I was unaware of how it's structure and how it properly relaxed. This caused excessive tension in my neck and shoulders all the way down to my fingers. This fucked up my guitar playing, so those therapies have been invaluable. Andover educators and lawerence gold somatics are good sites on the web, but it's best to get hands on work from experts. Somatics by Thomas Hanna is really good book, and I know that fm Alexander had written on his technique but I haven't read any of yet (damn, I oughta do that)

I'm 50 and thinking I might be one of your oldest fans. I'll just say that in my limited experience of weird neuralgia-type pains, you need to keep giving yourself as much slack as you can possibly afford. While you feel horribly worn down from coping with the pain and sleeplessness, you'll likely feel a shitload better at this time next year. Love the comic. Best wishes, Paul B.

My son, a fan sent me your blog. I have Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, and want to encourage you to go directly to a TOS specialist. The more time you take getting there, more damage could be occurring.

There are two sites I'd like to recommend to you. One's on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/TosSupport/The other is: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum24.html

Both sites have Dr.'s lists,(Neurotalks is some what outdated- so be forewarned!) and people with TOS from all over the world can recommend some one, or tell you who to avoid. I prefer the FB site.

Also, there is a test that CAN confirm TOS. It's an MRI/MRA with contrast. 10 years ago, when I had it done, you had to see a specialist for it. I don't know if that is still the case. There's a Dr. Collins in Southern CA. that's supposed to be the best in CA.

Again, you need to act quickly on this. I've been told had I had the correct care/treatment in the 1st 6 mos. of my injury, I'd be *cured*. I had the wrong diagnosis/treatment for a year and a half, and am permanently disabled. I can't drive, shop, do laundry, and pretty much am home bound. No more of the things I love- gardening, hiking, cooking. I have to depend a lot on others, and that truly sucks!

Symptoms will worsen if you aren't PROPERLY treated right away. They will include migraines, muscle spasms, feeling like a knife is stuck in your shoulder blade, just to name a few.

Also, don't lift anything- laundry, grocery bags, amps! Don't carry a purse, much less a guitar until you know for sure. Do as little as possible with your hands and arms. No holding a book to read, limited to no guitar playing. Don't use a lap top, but use a P.C./Mac and have the monitor elevated so that you aren't looking down. Don't swim, but hot tubs or hot baths are good.

Valium, muscle relaxers, or pot are great for TOS pain. There are other things like Lyrica or Cymbalta, and also Neurontin you can take that help a lot. Opiates are even Rx'd when all else fails.

Lastly, if it hurts, don't do it! If the Chiro./P.T./ Dr. does anything that hurts,have them stop! Don't over stretch the brachial plexus area(chest mostly) w/o confirming with your TOS Dr.first.

I hope and pray this is a strain and not TOS, and that you are better soon! Contact me if you have any questions.

Marissa, I love your comic! I would also recommend the neurotalk site. There are some new lists. One of them is a list of recommended PT's. that I posted.http://www.instituteofphysicalart.com/ipa/referral/list I have TOS and I have had good luck with a good PT after trying many. Rib mobilization and Trigger pt. massage with a soft roll or ball is key. Good Luck! I am an artist too and havent been able to work in a year 1/2. Everybody has the same story. there is also a place in N.J.:http://www.tosnj.com/Index.html

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